October….really? Where did the year go – I can feel Christmas getting mighty close now and summer is but a distant memory. September seemed to come and go in the blink of an eye probably because it is a shorter month and we spent almost two weeks of it enjoying ourselves up in Scotland….but subsequently nothing got done at home.
When I reviewed my intentions for September I was pleased that I had managed to spend some time in the kitchen cooking; baking old favourites and trying out new recipes. We didn’t do much meandering this month though, even in Scotland the focus was on gardening and sadly we didn’t even manage to attend any of the heritage events – we had just missed the Scottish one by the time we got up there and then missed the English one by the time we arrived home – not very well co-ordinated this year!
Looking at the shape of this month it is all about getting the pantry done and making headway with the crafts for Christmas. In and amongst we have a couple of celebrations to organise.
I am feeling the urgency of getting the pantry well underway now. I have this rule which is no decorating beyond October – we have done this in the past and it compromises the time it takes to get everything ready for Christmas.. At the moment we have holes in the walls where cables will run for the lighting and sockets. DH went shopping with me today but while I went to the library for a long browse he went to B&Q and Wickes for the boring bits and pieces like lengths of wood. I never thought the conversion of this little room would need so many materials and we have not even got to the painting stage yet.
Before we set off for town I planned a few meals for the week – I am on a bit of a mission currently to try out some new recipes. I have bookmarked a few that look quite simple and use seasonal vegetables. Leek and mushroom pies and dishes using fresh beetroot and parsnips roasted. You can only buy fresh beetroot by the bunch in Sainsbury’s so I will use the remaining beets grated in a winter salad. A pear and chocolate pudding is also on the list.
In these next two months we have a 1st birthday (Sweetie) and a Christening (Freddie) to plan, these special events never seem to stop – I feel like I should start up a catering company as it is so difficult to find just the right venue, food or caterers and we may well end up with a DIY job and ordering from M&S again.
I have a whole list of crafts that I want to do this month – time allowing. I made a start at the weekend and today called in at our local fabric shop and bought the heavier interfacing for the table mats and some muslin – useful for lots of things. I am on the look out for some pretty vyella to make my two granddaughters a winter dress each but I will have to have a trip over to Dewsbury I think to one of the mill shops. One of the main intentions is to get the calendars completed by the end of this month and have an idea for a lino cut Christmas card.
Apart from visiting my mum (and maybe we can squeeze in a trip to Scotland) there will be little meandering again this month, nor cleaning – with the house full of dust from the pantry makeover, it is just not worth the hassle. The best I can do is keep everywhere reasonably tidy.
I would like to fit in some me time – as is often the case it takes a back seat when other more urgent things come up. I really need to set aside more time for exercising – yoga once a week is just not enough and I am finding that waking up feeling quite stiff is becomming the norm. I have been spending more time recently on building a healthy diet but now must include more exercise.
Of course all the best made plans go out the window sometimes – I spoke to my elder daughter tonight and she is not well so I may have to do some babysitting tomorrow, which might even mean missing yoga this week.
Ah well such is life!! x
where the journey takes me 2 
Very impressed by your commitment to Christmas preparations! I normally start the week before, but then I’m incapable of making anything so that helps.
Up here Tesco and Lidl also sell bunches of fresh beetroot. Didn’t realise the Scots were such big consumers of it.
Yes, the stiffness creeps in, doesn’t it! I can really recommend Pilates – I’ve been doing it for a year now and love it. Going round in the beginner class for a second time with no shame! Do you know the “Yoga with Adriene” videos? https://yogawithadriene.com She is a lovely warm, calm presenter – she doesn’t have an annoying voice – and there are free videos for lots of different skill levels/parts of the body. (There again I keep going round the beginner ones!)
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You do have a busy time coming up, regardless of Christmas! Hope you manage to find some more me time, it’s so important when you’re so busy 🙂
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Finding the ‘me’ time is the most difficult thing for me – I need to have lessons!!
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Good idea to plan some “me” time. You lead quite a busy life and need to unwind periodically. Crafting is an ideal way to do this, IMHO.
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Oh I totally agree – somehow I find it difficult to find!
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It really is disruptive to have a renovation in progress, no matter how small. I bought a few tiny cross-stitch kits at the Royal School of Needlework. I hope I can convince myself to get them done to use as Christmas gifts!
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They sound really nice and will make a lovely present – the best of my intentions often never materialise!
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If you want to do more yoga I can recommend the online Yoga with Adriene free videos. She is really lovely, doesn’t have an annoying voice, and there are plenty of beginners’ videos.
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Will be checking this out.
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